DC Comics Month-to Month Sales: April 2014 — Eternal Stormwatch of the Spotless Mind

by David Carter

Greetings, sales charts fans! It’s time once again to look at DC’s sales figures.

DC take five of the top ten spots on the Diamond sales charts, all of them Batman-titled books thanks to the debut of the weekly Batman Eternal. However, DC fall to their lowest Dollar Share and Unit Share in quite some time due to a combination of Marvel’s relaunch of Amazing Spider-Man (with a boatload of order incentives and variant covers leading to over a half million in sales) and their own inability to get out many of their bestselling titles on a consistent schedule—Forever Evil, Sandman Overture and Superman Unchained) didn’t ship this month, with Forever Evil’s lateness causing a ripple effect through other titles like Justice League of America.

However, the average sales for the DCU and DC as a whole increased, mainly due to the debut of Batman Eternal and its four issues taking the place of much-lower selling titles from the Batman Universe. While this points a way forward—cancel your low-selling titles and replace them with titles starring Batman—it isn’t one that increases line diversity and tries out new properties. If you look at the 1 year comparisons for the DCU, most all are -20% or worse. Increases in sales have come by canceling old titles and debuting new titles; which means that DC can’t even hold titles steady, let alone show any kind of sustained growth.

Warning: The commentary below may contain reasoned analysis, speculation (unfounded and otherwise), opinion, and/or snark. Those looking for a more straightforward analysis are directed to John Jackson Miller’s excellent Comichron analysis, posted earlier this month right here at The Beat!

Please consider the fine print at the end of the column. Thanks to Milton Griepp and ICv2.com for the permission to use their figures. An overview of ICv2.com‘s estimates can be found here.

(Note that the percentage comparisons are now done with total orders including reorder activity, as opposed to initial orders as was the practice of this column under the previous administration.)

—

3 - BATMAN ($3.99)
04/2004: Batman #626   --  78,519 [ 84,753]
04/2009: Batman BfC #2 --  89,120 
04/2010: Batman #698   --  60,934
04/2011: Batman #709   --  56,578
04/2012: Batman #8     -- 130,602 [136,218] 
-------------------------------
04/2013: Batman #19    -- 132,147 (-  4.2%)
05/2013: Batman #20    -- 129,039 (-  2.4%)
06/2013: Batman #21    -- 142,088 (+ 21.5%) [156,845]
07/2013: Batman #22    -- 132,047 (- 15.8%)
08/2013: Batman #23    -- 128,230 (-  2.9%)
09/2013: #23.1: Jkr    -- 151,351 (+ 18.0%)
09/2013: #23.2: Rdlr   -- 140,065 (-  7.5%)
09/2013: #23.3: Pngn   -- 120,026 (- 14.3%)
09/2013: #23.4: Bane   -- 124,382 (+  7.6%) [129,156]
10/2013: Batman #24    -- 124,652 (-  3.5%)
11/2013: Batman #25    -- 125,602 (+  0.8%)
12/2013: Batman #26    -- 119,443 (-  4.9%)
01/2014: Batman #27    -- 115,492 (-  1.7%) [117,395]
02/2014: Batman #28    -- 114,089 (-  1.3%) [115,891]
03/2014: Batman #29    -- 116,926 (+  0.9%)
04/2014: Batman #30    -- 108,998 (-  6.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 12.6%
1 year  : - 17.5%
2 years : - 20.0%
5 years : + 22.3%
10 years: + 38.8%
Since #1: - 51.2%

Batman falls to #3 this month due to the strength of Marvel’s Amazing Spider-Man relaunch (and Superior Spider-Man’s ending), and its sales fall nearly 8K units to the lowest level since the New 52 relaunch. We’re still mid-“Zero Year”, heading into the hame stretch, so this likely represents some kind of adjustment on behalf of retailers after a few months of mostly steady sales. Or they were simply making room in their budgets for ordering a ton of Spider-Man comics to get to those incentive levels, and/or to buy a new weekly Batman comic.

—

4, 6, 9, 10 - BATMAN ETERNAL ($2.99)
04/2014: Batman Eternal #1  -- 105,754 
04/2014: Batman Eternal #2  --  84,566 (- 20,0%) 
04/2014: Batman Eternal #3  --  79,703 (-  5.8%)
04/2014: Batman Eternal #4  --  78,009 (-  2.1%)
-----------------
Since #1: - 26.2%

All four issues were returnable, so the figures have been adjusted up 10% from what was reported by Diamond/ICv2. (For an explanation why this is done for returnable items, please see the fine print at the end of this post.)

(Issue #1 had a 1:50 incentive variant cover, while the others did not have any variants.)

And returnable is good, because retailers were pretty much ordering blind here. DC hasn’t done a weekly series since the start of The New 52, and they’ve not done a long-form weekly that was focused just on the Batman Family. SO even though things look to be leveling off in the upper 70Ks, I wouldn’t read too much into these first month order figures. If we see re-order activity over the next couple of months, that’ll be an indication that retailers were too conservative. On the other hand, we may see orders continue to fall over the next few months if they over-estimated demand.

The series is scheduled to run for fifty-two issues, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it eventually settle out in the 50K-60K range. Which would be good, as DC really needs more titles in that sales area, and it would be better (sales-wise) than the titles it has replaced on the schedule, which were in the mid-30K area.

11 - JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED ($3.99)
04/2014: Justice League United #0  -- 68,431 

This was supposed to be a replacement for JLA on the schedule, picking up at the end of Forever Evil. But due to FE delays it is debuting while there an issue of JLA remaining.

The zero-ness is highly suspect; for all intents and purposes this felt like a plain old first issue of a new series (unlike Harley Quinn #0, which was a jam issue). I don’t think this sort of thing fools anybody—retailers will order JLU #1 as if it were the second issue—and it only serves to tick off any readers who next month pick of issue #1 not realizing that they’re coming in on the second issue. So can we just knock off this #0 issue BS in the future?

(After this point in the chart, all further titles are outsold by Image’s The Walking Dead…)

—–

15 - HARLEY QUINN ($2.99)
11/2013: Harley Quinn #0  -- 114,212           [125,850]
12/2013: Harley Quinn #1  --  92,153 (- 10.8%) [112,265]
01/2014: Harley Quinn #2  --  66,363 (- 31.9%) [ 76,484]
02/2014: Harley Quinn #3  --  63,967 (- 12.7%) [ 66,787]
03/2014: Harley Quinn #4  --  63,120 (-  5.5%)
04/2014: Harley Quinn #5  --  63,155 (+  0.1%)
-----------------
Since #0: - 49.8%

Just look at how stable those initial orders are! And at a good level as well. Kudos to all involved.

Meanwhile, issue #1 received another 3,019 in reorders and is going into a 4th printing.

—–

20 - BATMAN/SUPERMAN ($3.99)
04/2004: Superman/Batman #9  -- 145,072 [156,539]
04/2009: Superman/Batman #57 --  41,743
04/2009: Superman/Batman #58 --  41,100
04/2010: Superman/Batman #71 --  31,714
04/2011: Superman/Batman #83 --  28,403
---------------------------------------
06/2013: Batman/Superman #1  -- 143,457          [151,054]
07/2013: Batman/Superman #2  --  92,558 (-33.1%) [101,104]
08/2013: Batman/Superman #3  --  87,337 (-13.6%)
09/2013: #3.1: Doomsday      --  92,290 (+10.4%) [96,453]
10/2013: Batman/Superman #4  --  82,990 (-14.0%)
11/2013: Batman/Superman #5  --  77,198 (- 7.0%)
12/2013: Batman/Superman #6  --  68,857 (-10.8%)
01/2014: Batman/Superman #7  --  61,074 (-11.3%)
02/2014: Batman/Superman #8  --  59,138 (- 3.2%)
02/2014: --
04/2014: Batman/Superman #9  --  56,223 (- 4.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 32.3%
5 years : + 35.7%
10 years: - 64.1%
Since #1: - 62.8%

Part three of the crossover with Worlds’ Finest, except part four came out last month. Oops.

—–

21 - DETECTIVE COMICS ($3.99)
04/2004: Detective Comics #793 --  34,800
04/2009: Detective Comics #853 -- 104,107
04/2010: Detective Comics #864 --  42,436
04/2011: Detective Comics #876 --  40,133
04/2012: Detective Comics #8   --  87,675
-----------------------------------------
04/2013: Detective Comics #19  --  77,922 (+  2.2%)
05/2013: Detective Comics #20  --  78,252 (+  0.4%)
06/2013: Detective Comics #21  --  65,200 (- 16.7%)
07/2013: Detective Comics #22  --  63,949 (-  1.9%)
08/2013: Detective Comics #23  --  61,448 (-  3.9%)
09/2013: #23.1: Poison Ivy     --  78,522 (+ 27.8%)
09/2013: #23.2: Harley Quinn   --  89,636 (+ 14.2%)
09/2013: #23.3: Scarecrow      --  73,043 (- 18.5%)
09/2013: #23.4: Man-Bat        --  68,110 (-  6.8%)
10/2013: Detective Comics #24  --  59,310 (- 12.9%)
11/2013: Detective Comics #25  --  64,392 (+  8.6%)
12/2013: Detective Comics #26  --  56,538 (- 12.2%)
01/2014: Detective Comics #27  --  88,702 (+ 59.8%) [90,335]
02/2014: Detective Comics #28  --  56,619 (- 37.3%)
03/2014: Detective Comics #29  --  55,486 (-  2.0%)
04/2014: Detective Comics #30  --  56,149 (+  1.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 28.2%
1 year  : - 27.2%
2 years : - 38.3%
5 years : - 46.1%
10 years: + 59.0%
Since #1: - 64.8%

The new creative team debuts. I would have thought that sales would have gone up at least 10K, but I was quite wrong as overall retailers appear mostly indifferent.

—–

52 - FOREVER EVIL AFTERMATH: BATMAN VS. BANE ($3.99)
10/2013: Arkham War #1 of 6 -- 52,004
11/2013: Arkham War #2 of 6 -- 44,133 (-15.1%)
12/2013: Arkham War #3 of 6 -- 39,919 (- 9.5%)
01/2014: Arkham War #4 of 6 -- 37,973 (- 4.9%)
02/2014: Arkham War #5 of 6 -- 35,564 (- 6.3%)
03/2014: Arkham War #6 of 6 -- 34,743 (- 2.3%)
04/2014: Batman vs. Bane #1 -- 51,280 (+47.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 1.4%

Despite the fact that Forever Evil hasn’t ended yet… This is essentially a one-shot follow-up to Arkham War, so I’m including it these for comparison purposes. Note the advantage of putting ‘Batman’ in the title of your comic…

—–

33 - SINESTRO ($2.99)
04/2014: Sinestro #1  -- 46,480 

Debuts 10K higher than Larfleeze did, so there’s some hope of this lasting a bit longer.

—–

36 - SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN ($3.99)
10/2013: Superman/Wonder Woman #1  -- 94,859
11/2013: Superman/Wonder Woman #2  -- 60,185 (-36.6%)
12/2013: Superman/Wonder Woman #3  -- 51,357 (-14.7%)
01/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #4  -- 47,350 (- 7.8%)
02/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #5  -- 44,847 (- 5.3%)
03/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #6  -- 43,308 (- 3.4%)
04/2014: Superman/Wonder Woman #7  -- 45,157 (+ 4.3%)
-----------------
6 months: - 52.4%
Since #1: - 52.4%

Marketed as a prelude to the “Superman: Doomed” crossover story, so sales see a bit of an uptick.

—–

37 - BATMAN AND... ($2.99)
04/2010: Batman and Robin #11 --  84,006
04/2011: Batman and Robin #22 --  59,076
04/2012: Batman and Robin #8  --  66,659
----------------------------------------
04/2013: and Red Robin #19    --  89,182 (+16.5%)
05/2013: and Red Hood #20     --  65,222 (-26.9%)
06/2013: and Batgirl #21      --  60,601 (- 7.1%)
07/2013: and Catwoman #22     --  57,808 (- 4.6%)
08/2013: and Nightwing #23    --  55,707 (- 3.6%)
09/2013: #23.1: Two-Face      --  77,073 (+38.4%)
09/2013: #23.2: Court of Owls --  75,546 (- 2.0%)
09/2013: #23.3: Ra's al Ghul  --  73,746 (- 2.4%)
09/2013: #23.4: Killer Croc   --  69,428 (- 5.9%)
10/2013: and Two-Face #24     --  52,060 (-25.0%)
11/2013: and Two-Face #25     --  53,374 (+ 2.5%)
12/2013: and Two-Face #26     --  46,611 (-12.7%)
01/2014: and Two-Face #27     --  45,462 (- 2.5%)
02/2014: and Two-Face #28     --  43,380 (- 4.6%)
03/2014: and Aquaman #29      --  43,295 (- 0.2%)
04/2014: and Wonder Woman #30 --  44,832 (+ 3.6%)
----------------
6 months: - 13.9%
1 year  : - 49.7%
2 years : - 32.7%
Since #1: - 61.4%

Looks like Wonder Woman is still a bit more popular than Aquaman.

—–

39 - GREEN LANTERN ($2.99)
04/2004: Green Lantern #176 --  34,674 [37,565]
04/2009: Green Lantern #39  --  79,792 [84,784]
04/2009: Green Lantern #40  --  76,665 [84,705]
04/2010: Green Lantern #53  -- 100,356
04/2011: Green Lantern #65  --  75,780
04/2012: Green Lantern #8   --  88,335
--------------------------------------
04/2013: Green Lantern #19  --  71,018 (+ 1.7%)
05/2013: Green Lantern #20  --  67,414 (- 5.1%)
06/2013: Green Lantern #21  --  71,870 (+ 6.6%)
07/2013: Green Lantern #22  --  62,415 (-13.2%)
08/2013: Green Lantern #23  --  59,176 (- 5.2%)
09/2013: #23.1: Relic       --  66,495 (+12.4%)
09/2013: #23.2: Mongul      --  63,731 (- 4.2%)
09/2013: #23.3: Black Hand  --  62,753 (- 1.5%)
09/2013: #23.4: Sinestro    --  70,893 (+13.0%)
10/2013: Green Lantern #24  --  57,109 (-19.4%)
11/2013: Green Lantern #25  --  54,322 (- 5.2%)
12/2013: Green Lantern #26  --  51,420 (- 5.0%)
01/2014: Green Lantern #27  --  48,831 (- 5.0%)
02/2014: GL/Red Lanterns#28 --  49,200 (+ 5.6%) [51,548]
03/2014: Green Lantern #29  --  45,797 (-11.2%)
04/2014: Green Lantern #30  --  44,483 (- 2.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 22.1%
1 year  : - 37.4%
2 years : - 49.6%
5 years : - 47.5%
10 years: + 18.4%
Since #1: - 73.7%

Back to a standard attrition.

(After this point in the chart, all further titles are outsold by Dark Horse’s Serenity mini-series and their adaptation of an early draft of George Lucas’s Star Wars script…)

We’ve now reached the mid-list portion of DC’s sales: Those books that mostly feature their long time characters that tend to sell in the 30-40K range (barring any events, crossovers, reboots, creative team changes, etc.)

—–

48 - SECRET ORIGINS ($4.99)
04/2014: Secret Origins #1  -- 38,742 

DC last published an ongoing Secret Origins comic from 1986-1990. These aren’t terrible sales for a $5 comic book, but they’re not super great either. Sales will likely show a bit more variability than usual depending on which character(s) are featured; this first issue featured Superman, Supergirl and Robin (Dick Grayson), three well-known characters.

—–

51 - ACTION COMICS ($3.99)
04/2004: Action Comics #814 --  56,714
04/2009: Action Comics #876 --  43,360
04/2010: Action Comics #888 --  29,536
04/2010: Action Comics #889 --  29,106
04/2011: Action Comics #900 --  60,152 [73,004]
04/2012: Action Comics #8   --  87,980
--------------------------------------
04/2013: Action Comics #19  --  52,007 (- 16.0%)
05/2013: Action Comics #20  --  48,324 (-  7.1%)
06/2013: Action Comics #21  --  46,475 (-  3.8%)
07/2013: Action Comics #22  --  44,861 (-  3.5%)
08/2013: Action Comics #23  --  42,603 (-  5.0%)
09/2013: #23.1: Cyborg Smn  --  69,796 (+ 63.8%)
09/2013: #23.2: Zod         --  69,356 (-  0.6%)
09/2013: #23.3: Lex Luthor  --  67,621 (-  2.5%)
09/2013: #23.4: Metallo     --  51,807 (- 23.4%)
10/2013: Action Comics #24  --  39,620 (- 23.5%)
11/2013: Action Comics #25  --  46,550 (+ 17.5%)
12/2013: Action Comics #26  --  37,489 (- 19.5%)
01/2014: Action Comics #27  --  36,042 (-  3.9%)
02/2014: Action Comics #28  --  35,305 (-  2.0%)
03/2014: Action Comics #29  --  34,231 (-  3.0%)
04/2014: Action Comics #30  --  37,809 (+ 10.5%)
-----------------
6 months: -  4.6%
1 year  : - 27.3%
2 years : - 57.0%
5 years : - 12.8%
10 years: - 33.3%
Since #1: - 81.2%

59 - SUPERMAN ($2.99)
04/2004: Superman #204 -- 231,411 [244,120]
04/2009: Superman #687 --  43,041
04/2010: Superman #699 --  33,183
04/2011: Superman #710 --  39,644
04/2012: Superman #8   --  64,486
---------------------------------
03/2013: Superman #18  --  48,236 (-  2.9%)
04/2013: Superman #19  --  48,598 (+  0.8%)
05/2013: Superman #20  --  45,458 (-  6.5%)
06/2013: Superman #21  --  44,285 (-  2.6%)
07/2013: Superman #22  --  42,961 (-  3.0%)
08/2013: Superman #23  --  42,155 (-  1.9%)
09/2013: #23.1: Bzarro --  59,589 (+ 41.4%)
09/2013: #23.2: Brniac --  58,197 (-  2.3%)
09/2013: #23.3: H'el   --  55,069 (-  5.4%)
09/2013: #23.4: Prsite --  59,811 (+  8.6%)
10/2013: Superman #24  --  39,580 (- 33.8%)
11/2013: Superman #25  --  39,295 (-  0.7%)
12/2013: Superman #26  --  36,877 (-  6.2%)
01/2014: Superman #27  --  35,266 (-  4.4%)
02/2014: Superman #28  --  34,296 (-  2.8%)
03/2014: Superman #29  --  33,633 (-  1.9%)
04/2014: Superman #30  --  37,316 (+ 11.0%)
-----------------
6 months: -  5.7%
1 year  : - 22.6%
2 years : - 42.1%
5 years : - 13.3%
10 years: - 84.7%
Since #1: - 75.1%

Two more installments in the “Superman: Doomed” prelude see a promising rise in the number of issues ordered by retailers.

The 10 year comparison for Superman is to the first Brian Azzarello/Jim Lee issue. It’ll be interesting to see what the first Johns/Romita issue looks like in comparison in a couple of months.

—–

59 - EARTH 2 ($2.99)
04/2013: Earth 2 #11 -- 45,468 (- 1.6%)
05/2013: Earth 2 #12 -- 43,983 (- 3.3%)
06/2013: Earth 2 #13 -- 42,916 (- 2.4%)
07/2013: Earth 2 #14 -- 42,022 (- 2.1%)
08/2013: Earth 2 #15 -- 40,845 (- 2.8%)
09/2013: #15.1: Desd -- 51,850 (+26.9%)
09/2013: #15.2: SlGr -- 52,369 (+ 1.0%)
10/2013: Earth 2 #16 -- 38,389 (-26.7%)
11/2013: Earth 2 #17 -- 39,846 (+ 3.8%)
12/2013: Earth 2 #18 -- 37,130 (- 6.8%)
01/2014: Earth 2 #19 -- 36,103 (- 2.8%)
02/2014: Earth 2 #20 -- 35,732 (- 1.0%)
03/2014: Earth 2 #21 -- 35,295 (- 1.2%)
04/2014: Earth 2 #22 -- 34,970 (- 0.9%)
----------------
6 months: -  8.9%
1 year  : - 23.1%
Since #1: - 65.9%

Another drop of around 1%. While rises would be preferable to drops, a 1% attrition looks quite good compared to the majority of DC’s series.

—–

62 - AQUAMAN AND THE OTHERS ($2.99)
04/2014: Aquaman & Others #1  -- 34,056 

DC can’t have been expecting much better than this given the parent title’s sales. Which begs the question of why in the first place…

—–

63 - FLASH ($2.99)
04/2004: Flash #209       --  47,543  [51,233]
04/2009: Flash Rebirth #1 -- 104,429 [111,515]
04/2010: Flash #1         -- 100,903
04/2011: Flash #10        --  54,953
04/2011: Flash #11        --  54,633
04/2012: Flash #8         --  63,702
-----------------------------------
04/2013: Flash #19        --  42,079 (+  1.0%)
05/2013: Flash #20        --  39,667 (-  5.7%)
06/2013: Flash #21        --  38,848 (-  2.1%)
07/2013: Flash #22        --  38,993 (+  0.4%)
08/2013: Flash #23        --  38,860 (-  0.3%)
09/2013: #23.1: Grodd     --  52,901 (+ 36.1%)
09/2013: #23.2: RvrsFlsh  --  53,359 (+  0.9%)
09/2013: #23.3: Rogues    --  51,072 (-  4.3%)
10/2013: Flash #24        --  38,190 (- 25.2%)
11/2013: Flash #25        --  41,838 (+  9.6%)
12/2013: Flash #26        --  36,601 (- 12.5%)
01/2014: Flash #27        --  34,902 (-  4.6%)
02/2014: Flash #28        --  33,853 (-  3.0%)
03/2014: Flash #29        --  33,241 (-  1.8%)
04/2014: Flash #30        --  33,300 (+  0.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 12.8%
1 year  : - 20.9%
2 years : - 47.7%
5 years : - 70.1%
10 years: - 35.0%
Since #1: - 77.5%

The new creative teams debuts, and as with Detective Comics this month retailers greet them with a collective ‘eh’.

A Flash television show is set to debut on The CW this fall, but if recent history is any guide this will have a negligible effect on monthly comic sales.

—–

64 - AQUAMAN ($2.99)
04/2004: Aquaman #17 -- 25,691
04/2012: Aquaman #8  -- 61,657
------------------------------
04/2013: --
05/2013: Aquaman #19 -- 53,415 (+ 0.1%)
05/2013: Aquaman #20 -- 49,697 (- 7.0%)
06/2013: Aquaman #21 -- 46,832 (- 5.8%)
07/2013: Aquaman #22 -- 45,653 (- 2.5%)
08/2013: Aquaman #23 -- 44,140 (- 3.3%)
09/2013: #23.1: BMta -- 58,207 (+31.9%)
09/2013: #23.2: OMtr -- 53,679 (- 7.8%)
10/2013: Aquaman #24 -- 42,248 (-21.3%)
11/2013: Aquaman #25 -- 41,264 (- 2.3%)
12/2013: Aquaman #26 -- 38,841 (- 5.9%)
01/2014: Aquaman #27 -- 36,610 (- 5.7%)
02/2014: Aquaman #28 -- 34,939 (- 4.6%)
03/2014: Aquaman #29 -- 33,907 (- 3.0%)
04/2014: Aquaman #30 -- 32,859 (- 3.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 22.2%
1 year  : n.a.
2 years : - 46.7%
10 years: + 27.9%
Since #1: - 69.7%

Another 3% drop.

—–

65 - BATGIRL ($2.99)
04/2004: Batgirl #51     -- 25,793
04/2010: Batgirl #9      -- 29,445
04/2011: Batgirl #20     -- 24,310
04/2012: Batgirl #8      -- 48,878
----------------------------------
04/2013: Batgirl #19     -- 45,939 (- 11.1%)
05/2013: Batgirl #20     -- 42,600 (-  7.3%)
06/2013: Batgirl #21     -- 40,252 (-  5.5%)
07/2013: Batgirl #22     -- 39,218 (-  2.6%)
08/2013: Batgirl #23     -- 37,707 (-  3.9%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Batgirl #24     -- 36,666 (-  2.8%)
11/2013: Batgirl #25     -- 40,752 (+ 11.1%)
12/2013: Batgirl #26     -- 34,885 (- 14.4%)
01/2014: Batgirl #27     -- 37,226 (+  6.7%)
02/2014: Batgirl #28     -- 34,567 (-  7.1%)
03/2014: Batgirl #29     -- 33,223 (-  3.9%)
04/2014: Batgirl #30     -- 32,698 (-  1.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 10.8%
1 year  : - 28.8%
2 years : - 33.1%
10 years: + 26.8%
Since #1: - 69.5%

Back to standard attrition mode.

—–

66 - FLASH ANNUAL ($4.99)
08/2012: Flash Annual #1 -- 44,206 
07/2013: Flash Annual #2 -- 34,114 (- 22.8%)
04/2014: Flash Annual #3 -- 32,447 (-  4.9%)

The best-selling of this month’s annuals comes in just a few hundred less than the parent title. This was the introduction of Wally West to the New 52.

—–

69 - WONDER WOMAN ($2.99)
04/2004: Wonder Woman #203 --  30,418
04/2009: Wonder Woman #31  --  31,857
04/2010: Wonder Woman #43  --  25,443
04/2011: Wonder Woman #610 --  31,002
04/2012: Wonder Woman #8   --  50,450
-------------------------------------
04/2013: Wonder Woman #19  --  46,492 (+ 21.1%)
05/2013: Wonder Woman #20  --  37,132 (- 20.1%)
06/2013: Wonder Woman #21  --  35,999 (-  3.1%)
07/2013: Wonder Woman #22  --  35,539 (-  1.3%)
08/2013: Wonder Woman #23  --  34,747 (-  2.2%)
09/2013: #23.1: Cheetah    --  49,297 (+ 41.9%)
09/2013: #23.2: First Born --  44,154 (- 10.4%)
10/2013: Wonder Woman #24  --  34,308 (- 22.3%)
11/2013: Wonder Woman #25  --  33,532 (-  2.3%)
12/2013: Wonder Woman #26  --  32,773 (-  2.3%)
01/2014: Wonder Woman #27  --  32,035 (-  2.3%)
02/2014: Wonder Woman #28  --  31,464 (-  1.8%)
03/2014: Wonder Woman #29  --  30,989 (-  1.5%)
04/2014: Wonder Woman #30  --  31,094 (+  0.3%)
-----------------
6 months: -  9.4%
1 year  : - 33.1%
2 years : - 38.4%
5 years : -  2.4%
10 years: +  2.2%
Since #1: - 67.6%

Adds a couple hundred more units to continue to float above the 30K line. Remarkably consistent as of late, and keeping in line historically with how Wonder Woman typically sells. There have been a couple of high-profile relaunches, but they always tend to trend back down to the 30K range. Will we see the same from the upcoming Finch relaunch?

(Also, there’s a digital-first Wonder Woman title debuting soon.)

(After this point in the chart, all further titles are outsold by the first issue of Valiant’s Rai relaunch.)

—–

75 - BATGIRL ANNUAL ($4.99)
10/2012: Batgirl Annual #1 -- 39,017 
04/2014: Batgirl Annual #2 -- 28,715 (- 26.4%)

I believe it was Bill Jemas who, while publisher at Marvel, recognized that they were publishing Annuals that always sold below the level of the parent title. So Marvel stopped publishing Annuals and started publishing extra issues of their titles instead.

I understand DC’s current practice with Annuals, using them to fill out a month when it has five Wednesdays. But why not pick a title that sells better than Batgirl? Maybe there was a compelling story to be told, but couldn’t that have been done in the regular Batgirl title and therefore have sold around 4K more copies?

This ends the DCU mid-list. The DCU titles beyond this point should be considered to be ‘in trouble.’ That doesn’t necessarily mean that cancellation is on the immediate horizon, but *something* is going to have to change, whether it be a change in creative teams or a crossover or a gimmick, to keep them away from the cancellation bear…

—–

80 - JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK ($3.99)
04/2012: Justice League Dark #8   -- 36,089
-------------------------------------------
04/2013: Justice League Dark #19  -- 25,407 (-  1.0%)
05/2013: Justice League Dark #20  -- 24,693 (-  2.8%)
06/2013: Justice League Dark #21  -- 24,663 (-  0.1%)
07/2013: Justice League Dark #22  -- 68,294 (+225.6%) [80,302]
08/2013: Justice League Dark #23  -- 71,157 (+  4.2%) [75,782]
09/2013: #23.1: Creeper           -- 46,326 (- 34.9%)
09/2013: #23.2: Eclipso           -- 45,138 (-  2.6%)
10/2013: Justice League Dark #24  -- 45,401 (+  0.6%)
11/2013: Justice League Dark #25  -- 38,760 (- 14.6%)
12/2013: Justice League Dark #26  -- 36,353 (-  6.2%)
01/2014: Justice League Dark #27  -- 32,576 (- 10.4%)
02/2014: Justice League Dark #28  -- 30,519 (-  6.3%)
03/2014: Justice League Dark #29  -- 29,202 (-  4.3%)
04/2014: Justice League Dark #30  -- 27,695 (-  5.2%)
-----------------
6 months: - 39.0%
1 year  : +  9.0%
2 years : - 23.3%
Since #1: - 66.2%

WIth the loooong “Forever Evil: Blight” crossover finally over it drops again, but it’s still about 3K units above where it was before the crossovers began. So yay?

(Also, JLD was a $2.99 book before the crossovers, and appears to be staying at $3.99 now.)

—–

81 - JUSTICE LEAGUE 3000 ($2.99)
12/2013: Justice League 3K #1 -- 57,726
01/2014: Justice League 3K #2 -- 41,423 (-28.2%)
02/2014: Justice League 3K #3 -- 33,308 (-19.6%)
03/2014: Justice League 3K #4 -- 30,127 (- 9.6%)
04/2014: Justice League 3K #5 -- 27,529 (- 8.6%)
-----------------
Since #1: - 52.3%

The drops keep coming.

—–

85 - GREEN LANTERN CORPS ($2.99)
04/2009: Green Lantern Corps #35 -- 58,769
04/2010: Green Lantern Corps #47 -- 72,163
04/2011: Green Lantern Corps #59 -- 60,162
04/2012: Green Lantern Corps #8  -- 47,584
------------------------------------------
04/2013: Green Lantern Corps #19 -- 43,903 (- 0.7%)
05/2013: Green Lantern Corps #20 -- 43,026 (- 2.0%)
06/2013: Green Lantern Corps #21 -- 45,423 (+ 5.6%)
07/2013: Green Lantern Corps #22 -- 42,194 (- 7.1%)
08/2013: Green Lantern Corps #23 -- 36,229 (-14.1%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Green Lantern Corps #24 -- 37,312 (+ 3.0%)
11/2013: Green Lantern Corps #25 -- 38,369 (+ 2.8%)
12/2013: Green Lantern Corps #26 -- 32,797 (-14.5%)
01/2014: Green Lantern Corps #27 -- 31,447 (- 4.1%)
02/2014: Green Lantern Corps #28 -- 29,142 (- 7.3%)
03/2014: Green Lantern Corps #29 -- 27,754 (- 4.8%)
04/2014: Green Lantern Corps #30 -- 26,640 (- 4.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 28.6%
1 year  : - 39.3%
2 years : - 44.0%
5 years : - 54.7%
Since #1: - 70.7%

Continues to drop.

(After this point in the chart, all further titles are outsold by IDW’s My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic…)

—–

86 - TEEN TITANS ($2.99)
04/2004: Teen Titans #10  -- 68,359
04/2009: Teen Titans #69  -- 35,375
04/2010: Teen Titans #82  -- 25,303
04/2011: Teen Titans #94  -- 25,187
04/2012: Teen Titans #8   -- 50,814
-----------------------------------
04/2013: Teen Titans #19  -- 39,532 (-  6.0%)
05/2013: Teen Titans #20  -- 36,391 (-  8.0%)
06/2013: Teen Titans #21  -- 34,710 (-  4.6%)
07/2013: Teen Titans #22  -- 33,062 (-  4.8%)
08/2013: Teen Titans #23  -- 31,742 (-  4.0%)
09/2013: #23.1: Trigon    -- 48,974 (+ 54.3%)
09/2013: #23.2: Dthstroke -- 49,920 (+  1.9%)
10/2013: Teen Titans #24  -- 34,536 (- 30.8%)
11/2013: Teen Titans #25  -- 32,395 (-  6.2%)
12/2013: Teen Titans #26  -- 29,149 (- 10.0%)
01/2014: Teen Titans #27  -- 27,558 (-  5.5%)
02/2014: Teen Titans #28  -- 26,732 (-  3.0%)
03/2014: Teen Titans #29  -- 25,969 (-  2.9%)
04/2014: Teen Titans #30  -- 25,709 (-  1.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 25.6%
1 year  : - 35.0%
2 years : - 49.4%
5 years : - 27.3%
10 years: - 62.4%
Since #1: - 71.1%

Final issue, but never fear Titans fans—the title will be back in July as the first Marvel-style gratuitous renumbering of the New 52 era!

—–

92 - GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS ($2.99)
04/2012: New Guardians #7  -- 48,422
---------------------------------------
04/2013: New Guardians #19 -- 41,481 (- 1.3%)
05/2013: New Guardians #20 -- 40,569 (- 2.2%)
06/2013: New Guardians #21 -- 42,290 (+ 4.2%)
07/2013: New Guardians #22 -- 40,788 (- 3.6%)
08/2013: New Guardians #23 -- 34,473 (-15.5%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: New Guardians #24 -- 35,417 (+ 2.7%)
11/2013: New Guardians #25 -- 32,069 (- 9.5%)
12/2013: New Guardians #26 -- 30,489 (- 4.9%)
01/2014: New Guardians #27 -- 28,346 (- 7.0%)
02/2014: New Guardians #28 -- 27,212 (- 4.0%)
03/2014: New Guardians #29 -- 25,296 (- 7.0%)
04/2014: New Guardians #30 -- 24,727 (- 2.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 30.2%
1 year  : - 40.4%
2 years : - 48.9%
Since #1: - 74.4%

94 - RED LANTERNS ($2.99)
04/2012: Red Lanterns #8  -- 40,189
-----------------------------------
04/2013: Red Lanterns #19 -- 34,673 (-  1.5%)
05/2013: Red Lanterns #20 -- 33,923 (-  2.2%)
06/2013: Red Lanterns #21 -- 37,312 (+ 10.0%)
07/2013: Red Lanterns #22 -- 35,236 (-  5.6%)
08/2013: Red Lanterns #23 -- 29,623 (- 15.9%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Red Lanterns #24 -- 30,771 (+  3.9%)
11/2013: Red Lanterns #25 -- 27,786 (-  9.7%)
12/2013: Red Lanterns #26 -- 26,242 (-  5.6%)
01/2014: Red Lanterns #27 -- 24,477 (-  6.7%)
02/2014: Green Lant/RL#28 -- 49,200 (+110.6%) [51,548]
03/2014: Red Lanterns #29 -- 25,153 (- 51.2%)
04/2014: Red Lanterns #30 -- 24,350 (-  3.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 20.9%
1 year  : - 29.8%
2 years : - 39.4%
Since #1: - 72.7%

If DC are looking for places to trim the New 52 line to make room for new titles, these two books are exactly where I’d be focusing. In the post-Johns era there simply isn’t the readership interest for five ongoing GL titles.

I can imagine a couple of scenarios that DC might try: Cancel New Guardians and Red Lanterns and make Green Lantern & Green Lantern Corps double-sized with back-up stories; or cancel the lot and debut a new Green Lantern Weekly title.

But, even with the glut of cancellations announced in the August solicitations, not a single GL universe title is among them.

—–

98 - GREEN ARROW ($2.99)
04/2004: Green Arrow #37  -- 34,124
04/2009: Arrow/Canary #19 -- 21,933
04/2010: Arrow&Canary #32 -- 29,137
04/2011: Green Arrow #11  -- 32,669
04/2012: Green Arrow #8   -- 27,433
-----------------------------------
04/2013: Green Arrow #19  -- 29,922 (+  6.6%)
05/2013: Green Arrow #20  -- 27,541 (-  8.0%)
06/2013: Green Arrow #21  -- 26,924 (-  2.2%)
07/2013: Green Arrow #22  -- 26,172 (-  2.8%)
08/2013: Green Arrow #23  -- 25,449 (-  2.8%)
09/2013: #23.1: CtVertigo -- 43,234 (+ 69.9%)
10/2013: Green Arrow #24  -- 24,620 (- 43.1%)
11/2013: Green Arrow #25  -- 29,591 (+ 20.2%)
12/2013: Green Arrow #26  -- 24,687 (- 16.6%)
01/2014: Green Arrow #27  -- 23,785 (-  3.7%)
02/2014: Green Arrow #28  -- 26,725 (+ 12.4%)
03/2014: Green Arrow #29  -- 23,698 (- 11.3%)
04/2014: Green Arrow #30  -- 23,577 (-  0.5%)
-----------------
6 months: -  4.2%
1 year  : - 21.2%
2 years : - 14.1%
5 years : +  7.5%
10 years: - 30.9%
Since #1: - 67.4%

The good news is that there’s a drop of just over 100 copies this month, and it has one of the smallest sixth month drops of any of the DCU books.

—–

99 - SUPERGIRL ($2.99)
04/2009: Supergirl #40 --  34,080
04/2010: Supergirl #52 --  29,490
04/2011: Supergirl #63 --  21,598
04/2012: Supergirl #8  --  36,042
---------------------------------
04/2013: Supergirl #19 --  29,558 (+  5.4%)
05/2013: Supergirl #20 --  27,509 (-  6.9%)
06/2013: Supergirl #21 --  25,856 (-  6.0%)
07/2013: Supergirl #22 --  25,514 (-  1.3%)
08/2013: Supergirl #23 --  24,747 (-  3.0%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Supergirl #24 --  23,321 (-  5.8%)
11/2013: Supergirl #25 --  25,377 (+  8.8%)
12/2013: Supergirl #26 --  22,646 (- 10.8%)
01/2014: Supergirl #27 --  21,954 (-  3.1%)
02/2014: Supergirl #28 --  23,567 (+  7.3%)
03/2014: Supergirl #29 --  22,883 (-  2.9%)
04/2014: Supergirl #30 --  23,410 (+  2.3%)
-----------------
6 months: +  0.4%
1 year  : - 20.8%
2 years : - 35.0%
5 years : - 31.3%
Since #1: - 68.5%

A bit of an uptick; only around 500 copies, but that’s much better than the drops that nearly every other DCU title sees. And it did it without variant covers or any other sales gimmick, which indicates that there is some amount of interest in the “Red Daughter of Krypton” storyline, enough to stabilize sales at least.

(After this point in the chart, all further titles are outsold by Dynamite Entertainment’s reboot of the classic Gold Key character Doctor Solar.)

—-

115 - RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS ($2.99)
03/2012: Red Hood #8  -- 37,974
-------------------------------
04/2013: Red Hood #19 -- 36,630 (- 2.9%)
05/2013: Red Hood #20 -- 35,542 (- 3.0%)
06/2013: Red Hood #21 -- 32,416 (- 8.8%)
07/2013: Red Hood #22 -- 30,534 (- 5.8%)
08/2013: Red Hood #23 -- 28,821 (- 5.6%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Red Hood #24 -- 27,128 (- 5.9%)
11/2013: Red Hood #25 -- 30,632 (+12.9%)
12/2013: Red Hood #26 -- 25,382 (-17.1%)
01/2014: Red Hood #27 -- 24,813 ( -2.2%)
02/2014: Red Hood #28 -- 23,236 ( -6.4%)
03/2014: Red Hood #29 -- 22,316 ( -4.0%)
04/2014: Red Hood #30 -- 21,718 ( -2.7%)
----------------
6 months: - 19.9%
1 year  : - 40.7%
2 years : - 42.8%
Since #1: - 69.1%

A new creative team arrives soon, but I don’t think that’s going to stop this from slipping below 20K in a few months.

—–

116 - GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS ANNUAL ($4.99)
01/2013: GL New Guardians Ann #1 -- 36,674 
04/2014: GL New Guardians Ann #2 -- 21,717 (- 40.8%)

See comments for Batgirl Annual above, multiplied with five extra question marks.

—–

117 - WORLDS' FINEST ($2.99)
04/2013: Worlds' Finest #11 -- 27,453 (- 3.6%)
05/2013: Worlds' Finest #12 -- 27,073 (- 1.4%)
06/2013: Worlds' Finest #13 -- 25,815 (- 4.7%)
07/2013: Worlds' Finest #14 -- 25,143 (- 2.6%)
08/2013: Worlds' Finest #15 -- 24,159 (- 3.9%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Worlds' Finest #16 -- 22,987 (- 4.9%)
11/2013: Worlds' Finest #17 -- 21,920 (- 4.6%)
12/2013: Worlds' Finest #18 -- 21,039 (- 4.0%)
01/2014: Worlds' Finest #19 -- 20,998 (- 0.2%)
02/2014: Worlds' Finest #20 -- 25,585 (+31.5%) [27,613]
03/2014: Worlds' Finest #21 -- 25,676 (- 7.0%)
03/2014: Worlds' Finest #22 -- 21,485 (-16.3%)
-----------------
6 months: -  6.5%
1 year  : - 21.7%
Since #1: - 69.1%

The crossover ends, and its 4K extra copies promptly disappear. (Apparently reports of Worlds’ Finest ending in August were in error.)

—–

118 - CATWOMAN ($2.99)
04/2004: Catwoman #30 -- 24,268
04/2012: Catwoman #8  -- 38,711
-------------------------------
04/2013: Catwoman #19 -- 28,058 (-15.5%)
05/2013: Catwoman #20 -- 26,886 (- 4.2%)
06/2013: Catwoman #21 -- 25,611 (- 4.7%)
07/2013: Catwoman #22 -- 24,737 (- 3.4%)
08/2013: Catwoman #23 -- 24,262 (- 1.9%) [38,290]
09/2013: --
10/2013: Catwoman #24 -- 35,134 (+44.8%)
11/2013: Catwoman #25 -- 29,471 (-16.1%)
12/2013: Catwoman #26 -- 26,482 (-10.1%)
01/2014: Catwoman #27 -- 24,956 (- 5.8%)
02/2014: Catwoman #28 -- 23,974 (- 3.9%)
03/2014: Catwoman #29 -- 22,236 (- 7.2%)
04/2014: Catwoman #30 -- 20,968 (- 5.7%)
-----------------
6 months: - 40.3%
1 year  : - 25.3%
2 years : - 45.8%
10 years: - 13.6%
Since #1: - 72.3%

At this rate it’ll be below 20K in a month or two.

—–

122 - INJUSTICE: YEAR TWO (Digital-First) ($2.99)
04/2013: Injustice #4    -- 21,669 (+16.5%) [26,739]
05/2013: Injustice #5    -- 25,215 (+16.4%)
06/2013: Injustice #6    -- 26,011 (+ 3.2%)
07/2013: Injustice #7    -- 25,731 (- 1.1%)
08/2013: Injustice #8    -- 25,223 (- 2.0%)
09/2013: Injustice #9    -- 24,333 (- 3.5%)
10/2013: Injustice #10   -- 24,788 (+ 1.9%)
11/2013: Injustice #11   -- 22,704 (- 8.4%)
12/2013: Injustice #12   -- 21,871 (- 3.7%)
01/2014: Injustice Y2 #1 -- 24,700 (+12.9%)
02/2014: Injustice Y2 #2 -- 22,703 (- 8.1%)
03/2014: Injustice Y2 #3 -- 20,693 (- 8.9%)
04/2014: Injustice Y2 #4 -- 20,310 (- 1.9%)
----------------
6 months: - 18.1%
1 year  : - 24.0%
Since #1: - 17.8%

Stabilizing around 20K in its print incarnation. It is also by far the best-selling digital-first comic in DC’s stable (I estimate at least 10K copies per digital issue).

—–

127 - BATWOMAN ($2.99)
04/2012: Batwoman #8  --  45,341
--------------------------------
04/2013: Batwoman #19 --  31,538 (+ 0.5%)
05/2013: Batwoman #20 --  29,698 (- 5.8%)
06/2013: Batwoman #21 --  28,173 (- 5.1%)
07/2013: Batwoman #22 --  27,400 (- 2.7%)
08/2013: Batwoman #23 --  26,223 (- 4.3%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Batwoman #24 --  25,609 (- 2.3%)
11/2013: Batwoman #25 --  25,987 (+ 1.5%)
12/2013: Batwoman #26 --  23,311 (-10.3%)
01/2014: Batwoman #27 --  22,461 (- 3.6%)
02/2014: Batwoman #28 --  20,672 (- 8.0%)
03/2014: Batwoman #29 --  19,750 (- 4.5%)
04/2014: Batwoman #30 --  19,204 (- 2.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 25.0%
1 year  : - 39.1%
2 years : - 57.6%
Since #1: - 78.2%

I’ll have the opportunity for my traditional slamming DC editorial for their boneheaded mishandling of this title when I discuss the Batwoman Annual below, so let me take this opportunity to state that I harbor no ill will towards the replacement creative team. Marc Andreyko wrote one of the best DCU titles of recent years (Manhunter), and I’ve been a fan of Jeremy Haun since way back from his days doing Private Beach. They’ve been doing a pretty good job on Batwoman, especially given the editorial constraints they’re under.

—–

130 - SWAMP THING ($2.99)
04/2004: Swamp Thing #2  -- 26,013
04/2012: Swamp Thing #8  -- 39,431
----------------------------------
04/2013: Swamp Thing #19 -- 29,254 (- 4.8%)
05/2013: Swamp Thing #20 -- 27,338 (- 6.6%)
06/2013: Swamp Thing #21 -- 25,186 (- 7.9%)
07/2013: Swamp Thing #22 -- 23,885 (- 5.2%)
08/2013: Swamp Thing #23 -- 22,695 (- 5.0%)
09/2013: #23.1: Arcane   -- 40,390 (+78.0%)
10/2013: Swamp Thing #24 -- 21,724 (-46.2%)
11/2013: Swamp Thing #25 -- 21,141 (- 2.7%)
12/2013: Swamp Thing #26 -- 20,247 (- 4.2%)
01/2014: Swamp Thing #27 -- 19,755 (- 2.4%)
02/2014: Swamp Thing #28 -- 19,146 (- 3.1%)
03/2014: Swamp Thing #29 -- 18,837 (- 1.6%)
04/2014: Swamp Thing #30 -- 18,458 (- 1.6%)
----------------
6 months: - 53.4%
1 year  : - 38.7%
2 years : - 53.2%
10 years: - 45.6%
Since #1: - 74.9%

Settling in around 18K, which is disappointing for a DCU title bust is historically pretty good for a former Vertigo title like Swamp Thing.

—–

131 - CONSTANTINE ($2.99)
04/2004: Hellblazer #195 -- 14,887
04/2009: Hellblazer #254 -- 11,053
04/2010: Hellblazer #266 -- 10,256
04/2011: Hellblazer #278 --  9,417
04/2012: Hellblazer #290 --  9,426
----------------------------------
04/2013: Constantine #2  -- 30,789 (- 18.0%)
05/2013: Constantine #3  -- 29,106 (-  5.5%)
06/2013: Constantine #4  -- 26,417 (-  9.2%)
07/2013: Constantine #5  -- 30,664 (+ 32.6%) [35,027]
08/2013: Constantine #6  -- 25,174 (- 28.1%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Constantine #7  -- 22,954 (-  8.8%)
11/2013: Constantine #8  -- 20,981 (-  8.6%)
12/2013: Constantine #9  -- 22,403 (+  6.8%)
01/2014: Constantine #10 -- 20,729 (-  7.5%)
02/2014: Constantine #11 -- 20,385 (-  1.7%)
03/2014: Constantine #12 -- 20,051 (-  1.6%)
04/2014: Constantine #13 -- 18,454 (-  8.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 19.6%
1 year  : - 40.1%
2 years : + 95.8%
5 years : + 67.0%
10 years: + 24.0%
Since #1: - 50.9%

NBC is debuting a Constantine series in the Fall, but despite the title according to the press release it is based on the Vertigo Hellblazer comic and not on the current DCU Constantine. Still, that oughta keep Constantine off the chopping block, at least until the series is cancelled…

—–

133 - BATMAN '66 (Digital-First) ($3.99)
07/2013: Batman '66 #1  -- 50,430
08/2013: Batman '66 #2  -- 37,113 (-26.4%)
09/2013: Batman '66 #3  -- 32,954 (-11.2%)
10/2013: Batman '66 #4  -- 30,099 (- 8.7%)
11/2013: Batman '66 #5  -- 26,785 (-11.0%)
12/2013: Batman '66 #6  -- 24,374 (- 9.0%)
01/2014: Batman '66 #7  -- 21,802 (-10.6%)
02/2014: Batman '66 #8  -- 19,795 (- 9.2%)
03/2014: Batman '66 #9  -- 18,802 (- 5.0%)
04/2014: Batman '66 #10 -- 17,917 (- 4.7%)
-----------------
6 months: - 40.5%
Since #1: - 64.5%

A spin-off series (co-written by Kevin Smith) debuts in June.

—–

136 - TRILLIUM (Vertigo) ($2.99)
08/2013: Trillium #1 of 8  -- 30,712 
09/2013: Trillium #2 of 8  -- 24,482 (-20.3%)
10/2013: Trillium #3 of 8  -- 23,037 (- 5.9%)
11/2013: Trillium #4 of 8  -- 20,915 (- 9.2%)
12/2013: Trillium #5 of 8  -- 20,035 (- 4.2%)
01/2014: -- 
02/2014: Trillium #6 of 8  -- 18,819 (- 6.1%)
03/2014: Trillium #7 of 8  -- 18,594 (- 1.2%)
04/2014: Trillium #8 of 8  -- 17,687 (- 4.9%)
-----------------
6 months: - 23.2%
Since #1: - 42.4%

With Sandman Overture & The Wake both MIA in April, the final issue of Trillium is the best-selling Vertigo title of the month.

—–

140 - AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SECOND CYCLE (Vertigo) ($3.99)
04/2010: American Vampire #2     --  26,770
04/2011: American Vampire #14    --  16,168
04/2012: American Vampire #26    --  14,493
-------------------------------------------
04/2013: --
05/2013: --
06/2013: American Vampire LRtH   --  16,042 (+ 19.6%)
07/2013: --
08/2013: American Vampire Anthol --  12,695 (- 20.9%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: --
11/2013: --
12/2013: --
01/2014: --
02/2014: --
03/2014: American Vampire 2Cy #1 --  20,863 (+ 64.3%)
04/2014: American Vampire 2Cy #2 --  17,068 (- 18.2%)
-----------------
6 months: n.a.
1 year  : n.a.
2 years : + 17.8%

Returnable, so adjusted accordingly. Still above where the previous series ended.

—–

137 - BATWOMAN ANNUAL ($4.99)
04/2014: Batwoman Annual #1 -- 17,312 

Finishes the story that was abandoned when DC editorial decided it was better to keep their characters from getting married than it was to sell comics.

Finishing a story several months later was something that happened from time to time in the pre-New 52 days, usually when a high-profile creative team was very late and DC needed to get on to the business of selling comics like Action Comics and Wonder Woman. In this case DC have nothing to blame but their own blockheadedness.

The Annual finishing off the previous storyline was drawn by former artist Trevor McCarthy and written by new writer Marc Andreyko. While it more-or-less of visually fits with the previous issues (though there’s a severe lack of the series’ trademark two-page spreads) it is surely not the ending that Williams and Blackman had envisioned.

—–

139 - BIRDS OF PREY ($2.99)
04/2004: Birds of Prey #66  -- 31,525
04/2011: Birds of Prey #11  -- 30,270
04/2012: Birds of Prey #8   -- 28,681
-------------------------------------
04/2013: Birds of Prey #19  -- 21,707 (-  1.1%)
05/2013: Birds of Prey #20  -- 21,126 (-  2.7%)
06/2013: Birds of Prey #21  -- 20,767 (-  1.7%)
07/2013: Birds of Prey #22  -- 20,209 (-  2.7%)
08/2013: Birds of Prey #23  -- 19,364 (-  4.2%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Birds of Prey #24  -- 18,382 (-  5.1%)
11/2013: Birds of Prey #25  -- 22,751 (+ 23.8%)
12/2013: Birds of Prey #26  -- 17,497 (- 23.1%)
01/2014: Birds of Prey #27  -- 19,387 (+ 10.8%)
02/2014: Birds of Prey #28  -- 18,092 (-  6.7%)
03/2014: Birds of Prey #29  -- 16,795 (-  7.2%)
04/2014: Birds of Prey #30  -- 16,358 (-  2.6%)
-----------------
6 months: - 11.0%
1 year  : - 24.6%
2 years : - 43.0%
10 years: - 48.1%
Since #1: - 75.4%

Prior to the New 52, Birds of Prey never went below 20K, which is likely why the final issue will be #34.

—–

141 - SUPERBOY ($2.99)
04/2011: Superboy #6  --  30,490
04/2012: Superboy #8  --  31,900
--------------------------------
04/2013: Superboy #19 --  24,211 (-  1.0%)
05/2013: Superboy #20 --  22,508 (-  7.0%)
06/2013: Superboy #21 --  20,952 (-  6.9%)
07/2013: Superboy #22 --  19,984 (-  4.6%)
08/2013: Superboy #23 --  20,235 (+  1.3%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Superboy #24 --  18,341 (-  9.4%)
11/2013: Superboy #25 --  21,449 (+ 16.9%)
12/2013: Superboy #26 --  17,690 (- 17.5%)
01/2014: Superboy #27 --  17,392 (-  1.7%)
02/2014: Superboy #28 --  16,448 (-  5.4%)
03/2014: Superboy #29 --  15,776 (-  4.1%)
04/2014: Superboy #30 --  15,382 (-  2.5%)
-----------------
6 months: - 16.1%
1 year  : - 36.5%
2 years : - 51.8%
Since #1: - 77.8%

The New Superboy continues to shed readers, leading to its cancellation with #34 (though there’s a Futures End special in September to cap things off).

—–

142 - TRINITY OF SIN: PANDORA ($2.99)
07/2013: Pandora #1  -- 35,106          [41,678]
07/2013: Pandora #2  -- 32,170 (-15.1%) [35,385]
08/2013: Pandora #3  -- 34,563 (- 2.3%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Pandora #4  -- 25,708 (-25.6%)
11/2013: Pandora #5  -- 21,267 (-17.3%)
12/2013: Pandora #6  -- 20,563 (- 3.3%)
01/2014: Pandora #7  -- 18,984 (- 7.7%)
02/2014: Pandora #8  -- 17,703 (- 6.7%)
03/2014: Pandora #9  -- 17,032 (- 3.8%)
04/2014: Pandora #10 -- 15,337 (-10.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 40.3%
Since #1: - 63.2%

145 - TRINITY OF SIN: THE PHANTOM STRANGER ($2.99)
04/2013: Phantom Stranger #7  -- 17,326 (- 0.3%)
05/2013: Phantom Stranger #8  -- 16,269 (- 6.1%)
06/2013: ToS: PS #9           -- 17,241 (+ 6.0%)
07/2013: ToS: PS #10          -- 20,636 (+19.7%)
08/2013: ToS: PS #11          -- 26,986 (+30.8%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: ToS: PS #12          -- 19,732 (-26.9%)
11/2013: ToS: PS #13          -- 17,779 (- 9.9%)
12/2013: ToS: PS #14          -- 18,649 (+ 4.9%)
01/2013: ToS: PS #15          -- 17,435 (- 6.5%)
02/2014: ToS: PS #16          -- 17,012 (- 2.4%)
03/2014: ToS: PS #17          -- 16,395 (- 3.6%)
04/2014: ToS: PS #18          -- 14,788 (- 9.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 25.1%
1 year  : - 14.6%
Since #1: - 63.1%

Both Trinity of Sin titles come out of the “Forever Evil: Blight” crossover with big drops and their lowest-selling numbers yet. And both titles are ending in August (but with Futures End specials in September).

—–

150 - ASTRO CITY (Vertigo) ($3.99)
04/2004: --
04/2009: --
04/2010: --
04/2011: --
04/2012: --
---------------------------------------
06/2013: Astro City #1        -- 27,700
07/2013: Astro City #2        -- 20,193 (-27.1%)
08/2013: Astro City #3        -- 18,802 (- 6.9%)
09/2013: Astro City #4        -- 17,641 (- 6.2%)
10/2013: Astro City #5        -- 16,927 (- 4.1%)
11/2013: Astro City #6        -- 16,031 (- 5.3%)
12/2013: Astro City #7        -- 15,360 (- 4.2%)
01/2014: Astro City #8        -- 14,831 (- 3.4%)
02/2014: Astro City #9        -- 14,289 (- 3.7%)
03/2014: Astro City #10       -- 14,094 (- 1.4%)
04/2014: Astro City #11       -- 13,909 (- 1.3%)
-----------------
6 months:    n.a.
5 years :    n.a.
10 years:    n.a.
Since #1: - 49.8%

Looks to have settled in to the land of standard attrition.

—–

151 - BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE (Digital-First) ($3.99)
04/2012: Unlimited #3   -- 24,196
---------------------------------
04/2013: Unlimited #15  -- 16,283 (- 1.1%)
05/2013: Unlimited #16  -- 15,822 (- 2.8%)
06/2013: Unlimited #17  -- 15,464 (- 2.3%)
07/2013: Unlimited #18  -- 15,275 (- 1.2%)
08/2013: Universe #1    -- 23,358 (+52.9%)
09/2013: Universe #2    -- 18,332 (-21.5%)
10/2013: Universe #3    -- 17,658 (- 3.7%)
11/2013: Universe #4    -- 16,889 (- 4.4%)
12/2013: Universe #5    -- 15,857 (- 6.1%)
01/2014: Universe #6    -- 15,070 (- 5.0%)
02/2014: Universe #7    -- 14,435 (- 4.2%)
03/2014: Universe #8    -- 14,097 (- 2.3%)
04/2014: Universe #9    -- 13,807 (- 2.1%)
----------------
6 months: - 21.8%
1 year  : - 15.2%
2 years : - 42.9%
Since #1: - 40.9%

For a book at this level, a slightly lower standard attrition would be preferable…

(After this point in the chart, all further titles are outsold by Boom Studio’s Adventure Time and Lumberjanes; and Avatar’s Caliban…)

—–

156 - HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE ($2.99)
04/2013: He-Man & MotU #1  -- 25,254 (+53.6%)
05/2013: He-Man & MotU #2  -- 19,410 (-23.1%)
06/2013: He-Man & MotU #3  -- 18,227 (- 5.8%)
07/2013: He-Man & MotU #4  -- 18,101 (- 1.0%)
08/2013: He-Man & MotU #5  -- 16,898 (- 6.6%)
09/2013: He-Man & MotU #6  -- 16,294 (- 3.6%)
10/2013: He-Man & MotU #7  -- 16,059 (- 1.4%)
11/2013: He-Man & MotU #8  -- 15,154 (- 5.6%)
12/2013: He-Man & MotU #9  -- 14,465 (- 4.5%)
01/2014: --
02/2014: He-Man & MotU #10 -- 13,816 (- 4.5%)
03/2014: He-Man & MotU #11 -- 13,090 (- 5.3%)
04/2014: He-Man & MotU #12 -- 12,718 (- 2.8%)
----------------
1 year  : - 49.6%
6 months: - 20.8%
Since #1: - 49.6%

Has lost nearly half of its copies since the relaunch as an ongoing.

—–

160 - LARFLEEZE ($2.99)
06/2013: Larfleeze #1  -- 36,638
07/2013: Larfleeze #2  -- 30,221 (-17.5%)
08/2013: Larfleeze #3  -- 21,955 (-27.4%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Larfleeze #4  -- 18,061 (-17.7%)
11/2013: Larfleeze #5  -- 16,157 (-10.5%)
12/2013: Larfleeze #6  -- 15,081 (- 6.7%)
01/2014: Larfleeze #7  -- 13,950 (- 7.5%)
02/2014: Larfleeze #8  -- 13,338 (- 4.4%)
03/2014: Larfleeze #9  -- 12,797 (- 4.1%)
04/2014: Larfleeze #10 -- 12,403 (- 3.1%)
-----------------
6 months: - 31.3%
Since #1: - 66.1%

Still dropping as it approaches its final issue (#12).

—–

162 - SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 LANTERN (Digital-First) ($3.99)
04/2004: --
--------------------------------------
04/2013: Smallville S11 #12    -- 15,930 (- 3.5%)
05/2013: Smallville S11 #13    -- 15,442 (- 3.1%)
06/2013: Smallville S11 #14    -- 15,097 (- 2.2%)
07/2013: Smallville S11 #15    -- 14,930 (- 1.1%)
08/2013: Smallville S11 #16    -- 14,640 (- 1.9%)
09/2013: Smallville S11 #17    -- 14,153 (- 3.3%)
10/2013: Smallville S11 #18    -- 13,794 (- 2.5%)
11/2013: Smallville S11 #19    -- 13,286 (- 3.7%)
12/2013: Smallville Alien #1   -- 13,019 (- 2.0%)
01/2014: Smallville Alien #2   -- 11,768 (- 9.6%)
02/2014: Smallville Alien #3   -- 11,061 (- 6.0%)
03/2014: Smallville Alien #4   -- 10,570 (- 4.4%)
04/2014: Smallville Lantern #1 -- 12,391 (+17.2%)
----------------
6 months: - 10.2%
1 year  : - 22.2%
10 years: n.a.

Sees a boost with the first issue of the new mini-series, but its still lower than the first issue of the previous mini (which was lower than the final issue of the ongoing). This is not a trend that is encouraging for the long-run.

—–

163 - ALL STAR WESTERN ($3.99)
04/2009: Jonah Hex #42 -- 11,551
04/2010: Jonah Hex #53 -- 11,565
04/2011: Jonah Hex #65 -- 10,353
04/2012: ASW #8        -- 25,040
--------------------------------
04/2013: ASW #19       -- 16,838 (- 0.4%)
05/2013: ASW #20       -- 16,184 (- 3.9%)
06/2013: ASW #21       -- 15,788 (- 2.5%)
07/2013: ASW #22       -- 15,376 (- 2.6%)
08/2013: ASW #23       -- 15,276 (- 0.7%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: ASW #24       -- 14,378 (- 5.9%)
11/2013: ASW #25       -- 13,937 (- 3.1%)
12/2013: ASW #26       -- 13,440 (- 3.6%)
01/2014: ASW #27       -- 13,238 (- 1.5%)
02/2014: ASW #28       -- 12,782 (- 3.4%)
03/2014: ASW #29       -- 12,503 (- 2.2%)
04/2014: ASW #30       -- 12,285 (- 1.7%)
-----------------
6 months: - 14.6%
1 year  : - 27.0%
2 years : - 50.9%
5 years : +  6.4%
Since #1: - 77.7%

While normal circulation metrics haven’t necessarily applied to Jonah Hex/All Star Western, DC have now formally announced that #34 will be the final issue. Will there be a replacement western title?

—–

179 - ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (Digital-First) ($3.99)
05/2013: Adventures of Superman #1  -- 30,992
06/2013: Adventures of Superman #2  -- 22,407 (-27.7%)
07/2013: Adventures of Superman #3  -- 19,453 (-13.2%)
08/2013: Adventures of Superman #4  -- 17,370 (-10.7%)
09/2013: Adventures of Superman #5  -- 16,011 (- 7.8%)
10/2013: Adventures of Superman #6  -- 14,484 (- 9.5%)
11/2013: Adventures of Superman #7  -- 13,140 (- 9.3%)
12/2013: Adventures of Superman #8  -- 12,142 (- 7.6%)
01/2014: Adventures of Superman #9  -- 11,425 (- 5.9%)
02/2014: Adventures of Superman #10 -- 11,075 (- 3.1%)
03/2014: Adventures of Superman #11 -- 11,102 (+ 0.2%)
04/2014: Adventures of Superman #12 -- 10,130 (- 8.8%)
----------------
6 months: - 30.1%
Since #1: - 67.3%

These numbers make me sad.

—–

193 - VERTIGO QUARTERLY CMYK (Vertigo) ($7.99)
04/2014: Cyan #1 -- 9,456 

9500 is … good? okay? expected? … for an $8 Vertigo anthology?

(After this point in the chart, all further titles are outsold by Aspen’s Lola XOXO…)

—–

195 - BATWING ($2.99)
04/2012: Batwing #8  -- 21,643
------------------------------
04/2013: Batwing #19 -- 13,570 (+12.3%)
05/2013: Batwing #20 -- 13,302 (- 2.0%)
06/2013: Batwing #21 -- 12,437 (- 6.5%)
07/2013: Batwing #22 -- 12,062 (- 3.0%)
08/2013: Batwing #23 -- 11,584 (- 4.0%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Batwing #24 -- 11,114 (- 4.1%)
11/2013: Batwing #25 -- 16,207 (+45.8%)
12/2013: Batwing #26 -- 10,753 (-33.7%)
01/2014: Batwing #27 -- 12,461 (+15.9%)
02/2014: Batwing #28 -- 11,786 (- 5.4%)
03/2014: Batwing #29 --  9,864 (-16.3%)
04/2014: Batwing #30 --  9,313 (-16.3%)
----------------
6 months: - 16.2%
1 year  : - 31.4%
2 years : - 57.0%
Since #1: - 82.7%

Last month I wondered how much longer DC would led this title go on with sub-10K sales, and now we know: #34 will be the final issue.

—–

213 - TEEN TITANS GO! (Digital-First) ($2.99)
04/2004: Teen Titans Go! #6  -- 14,612
--------------------------------------
12/2013: Teen Titans Go! #1  -- 13,441 (+82.0%)
01/2014: --
02/2014: Teen Titans Go! #2  --  9,038 (-32.8%)
03/2014: --
04/2014: Teen Titans Go! #3  --  8,185 (- 9.4%)
-----------------
10 years: - 44.0%
Since #1: - 39.1%

Unlike the first two issues, #3 was not returnable.

There was a FCBD edition of #1 in May, so maybe retailers will order a bit higher on #4?

—–

214 - STORMWATCH ($2.99)
04/2004: Stormwatch: TA #22   -- 10,695
04/2009: --
04/2012: Stormwatch #8        -- 23,212
---------------------------------------
04/2013: Stormwatch #19       -- 13,626 (+ 2.8%)
05/2013: Stormwatch #20       -- 13,049 (- 4.2%)
06/2013: Stormwatch #21       -- 12,277 (- 5.9%)
07/2013: Stormwatch #22       -- 11,792 (- 4.0%)
08/2013: Stormwatch #23       -- 10,969 (- 7.0%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: Stormwatch #24       -- 10,067 (- 8.2%)
11/2013: Stormwatch #25       --  9,881 (- 1.9%)
12/2013: Stormwatch #26       --  9,052 (- 8.4%)
01/2014: Stormwatch #27       --  8,612 (- 4.9%)
02/2014: Stormwatch #28       --  8,207 (- 4.7%)
03/2014: Stormwatch #29       --  7,837 (- 4.5%)
04/2014: Stormwatch #30       --  8,053 (+ 2.8%)
-----------------
6 months: - 20.0%
1 year  : - 40.9%
2 years : - 65.3%
5 years : n.a.
10 years: - 24.7%
Since #1: - 85.9%

Final issue. There was a completely different creative team, which may account for the slight rise in retailer orders. Either that or rubbernecking…

—–

217 - DEAD BOY DETECTIVES (Vertigo) ($2.99)
12/2013: Dead Boy Detectives #1 -- 21,478
01/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #2 -- 12,276 (-42.8%)
02/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #3 --  9,889 (-19.4%)
03/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #4 --  8,872 (-10.3%)
04/2014: Dead Boy Detectives #5 --  7,957 (-10.3%)
-----------------
Since #1: - 63.0%

Another unhealthy 10% drop.

—–

240 - ROYALS: MASTERS OF WAR #1 (Vertigo) ($2.99)
02/2014: Royals #1 of 6 --  14,031 
03/2014: Royals #2 of 6 --   8,725 (-37.8%) 
04/2014: Royals #3 of 6 --   7,777 (-10.9%) 
-----------------
Since #1: - 44.6%

Returnable, and adjusted accordingly.

(After this point in the chart, all further titles are outsold by Archie Comics’ Sonic Universe…)

—–

223 - THE UNWRITTEN V2 APOCALYPSE (Vertigo) ($3.99)
04/2010: The Unwritten #8  -- 15,314
04/2011: The Unwritten #20 -- 12,273
04/2012: The Unwritten #32 -- 10,481
------------------------------------
04/2013: The Unwritten #48 --  8,226 (- 0.5%)
05/2013: The Unwritten #49 --  8,234 (+ 0.1%)
06/2013: The Unwritten #50 -- 10,124 (+23.0%)
07/2013: The Unwritten #51 --  9,143 (- 9.7%)
08/2013: The Unwritten #52 --  9,033 (- 1.2%)
09/2013: The Unwritten #53 --  8,982 (- 0.6%)
10/2013: The Unwritten #54 --  8,871 (- 1.2%)
11/2013: --
12/2013: --
01/2014: Unwritten vol2 #1 -- 11,975 (+35.0%)
02/2014: Unwritten vol2 #2 --  8,291 (-30.8%)
03/2014: Unwritten vol2 #3 --  7,890 (- 4.8%)
04/2014: Unwritten vol2 #4 --  7,652 (- 3.0%)
----------------
6 months: - 13.7%
1 year  : -  7.0%
2 years : - 27.0%
Since #1: - 36.1%

Scheduled to end with #12.

—–

225 - FBP: FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS (Vertigo)
07/2013: Collider #1 -- 17,336          [20,361]
08/2013: FBP #2      -- 14,068 (-30.9%)
09/2013: FBP #3      -- 13,977 (- 0.6%)
10/2013: FBP #4      -- 11,600 (-17.0%)
11/2013: FBP #5      -- 10,391 (-10.4%)
12/2013: FBP #6      --  9,543 (- 8.2%)
01/2014: FBP #7      --  8,971 (- 6.0%)
02/2014: --
03/2014: FBP #8      --  7,852 (-12.5%)
04/2014: FBP #9      --  7,619 (- 3.0%)
-----------------
6 months: - 34.3%
Since #1: - 62.6%

This biggest question with this title is how long the David Goyer film option will offset the low sales. I don’t think it will stay around two or three years (at the earliest) until a movie debuts, but I suspect that DC would like to have two or three trade paperbacks in the hopper for if a movie does appear.

(After this point in the chart, all further titles are outsold by Oni’s The Bunker…)

—–

257 - SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED - CRISIS OF IMAGINATION (Digital-First) ($2.99)
01/2014: Scribblenauts Crisis #1 -- 11,572
02/2014: Scribblenauts Crisis #2 --  7,101 (-38.6%)
03/2014: Scribblenauts Crisis #3 --  6,738 (- 5.1%)
04/2014: Scribblenauts Crisis #4 --  6,467 (- 4.0%)
----------------
Since #1: - 44.1%

Based on a video game property, so maybe the digital sales are stronger than usual.

—–

284 - THE MOVEMENT ($2.99)
05/2013: The Movement #1  -- 29,246
06/2013: The Movement #2  -- 18,001 (-38.5%)
07/2013: The Movement #3  -- 14,524 (-19.3%)
08/2013: The Movement #4  -- 11,095 (-23.6%)
09/2013: --
10/2013: The Movement #5  --  9,110 (-17.9%)
11/2013: The Movement #6  --  7,957 (-12.7%)
12/2013: The Movement #7  --  7,252 (- 8.9%)
01/2014: The Movement #8  --  6,629 (- 8.6%)
02/2014: The Movement #9  --  6,417 (- 3.2%)
03/2014: The Movement #10 --  6,281 (- 2.1%)
04/2014: The Movement #11 --  5,782 (- 7.9%)
----------------
6 months: -36.5%
Since #1: -80.2%

With the Batgirl guest appearance over, there’s another drop of 500 copies on the penultimate issue.

—–

335 - SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (All-Ages) ($2.99)
04/2004: Scooby-Doo #83                -- 5,528
04/2009: Scooby-Doo #143               -- 4,610
04/2010: Scooby-Doo #155               -- 3,836
04/2011: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #8  -- 4,599
04/2012: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #20 -- 4,752
----------------------------------------
04/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #32 -- 4,688 (-1.7%)
05/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #33 -- ????? 
06/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #34 -- 4,881 
07/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #35 -- ????? 
08/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #36 -- 4,903 
09/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #37 -- 4,840 (-1.3%)
10/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #38 -- 4,983 (+3.0%)
11/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #39 -- ????? 
12/2013: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #40 -- 4,754 
01/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #41 -- 4,649 (-2.2%)
02/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #42 -- 4,540 (-2.3%)
03/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #43 -- 4,623 (+1.8%)
04/2014: Scooby-Doo Where Are You? #44 -- 4,650 (+0.6%)
-----------------
6 months: -  6.7%
1 year  : -  0.8%
2 years : -  2.1%
5 years : +  0.9%
10 years: - 15.9%
Since #1: - 24.8%

Returnable (and adjusted accordingly).

—–

339 - THE VAMPIRE DIARIES (Digital-First) ($3.99)
01/2014: The Vampire Diaries #1 -- 10,855
02/2014: The Vampire Diaries #2 --  6,132 (-43.5%)
03/2014: The Vampire Diaries #3 --  4,734 (-22.8%)
04/2014: The Vampire Diaries #4 --  4,192 (-11.4%)
----------------
Since #1: - 61.4%

There are still digital editions being produced, but probably not for much longer unless the digital sales are unusually strong (and there isn’t any evidence for that), or there are other forces at work.

—–

+400 - LOONEY TUNES (All-Ages) ($2.99)
02/2004: Looney Tunes #111 -- 3,220
02/2009: Looney Tunes #171 -- ?????
02/2010: Looney Tunes #183 -- ?????
02/2011: Looney Tunes #195 -- ?????
02/2012: Looney Tunes #205 -- ?????
----------------------------------------
02/2013: Looney Tunes #211 -- ?????
03/2013: --
04/2013: Looney Tunes #212 -- ?????
05/2013: -- 
06/2013: Looney Tunes #213 -- ????? 
07/2013: -- 
08/2013: Looney Tunes #214 -- ????? 
09/2013: --
10/2013: Looney Tunes #215 -- ?????
11/2013: -- 
12/2013: Looney Tunes #216 -- 2,822 
01/2014: --
02/2014: Looney Tunes #217 -- 2,784 (-1.3%)
03/2014: -- 
04/2014: Looney Tunes #218 -- ????? ( < 2,823)
-----------------
6 months:   ????%
1 year  :   ????%
2 years :   ????%
5 years :   ????%
10 years:   ????%

The cutoff on the Diamond top 400 was 2,823, which is just a bit above the typical reported sales for Looney Tunes.

--

Average Periodical Sales (not counting reprints, reorders shipping after the initial month of release, All-Ages titles and magazines)

DC COMICS
04/2004: 31,332
04/2009: 27,373
04/2010: 23,740
04/2011: 25,651
04/2012: 31,319
---------------
04/2013: 29,914 (-  2.9%)
05/2013: 31,412 (+  5.0%)
06/2013: 34,517 (+  9.9%)
07/2013: 34,402 (-  0.3%)
08/2013: 30,843 (- 10.4%)
09/2013: 54,892 (+ 78.0%)
10/2013: 31,928 (- 41.8%)**
11/2013: 32,664 (+  2.3%)
12/2013: ??????
01/2014: 27,881 
02/2014: 27,070 (-  2.9%)
03/2014: 26,776 (-  1.1%)
04/2014: 28,733 (+  7.3%)**
-----------------
6 months: - 10.0%
1 year  : -  3.9%
2 years : -  8.3%
5 years : +  5.0%
10 years: -  8.3%

DC UNIVERSE
04/2004: 37,031
04/2009: 38,150
04/2010: 32,859
04/2011: 29,126
04/2012: 35,264
---------------
04/2013: 31,426 (-  2.7%)
05/2013: 32,015 (+  1.9%)
06/2013: 37,133 (+ 16.0%)
07/2013: 36,524 (-  1.6%)
08/2013: 33,583 (-  8.1%)
09/2013: 61,036 (+ 81.8%)
10/2013: 33,568 (- 45.0%)**
11/2013: 35,282 (+  5.1%)
12/2013: ??????
01/2014: 33,120 
02/2014: 33,327 (+  0.6%) 
03/2014: 32,007 (-  4.0%) 
04/2014: 35,598 (+ 12.9%) 
-----------------
6 months: +  6.0%
1 year  : + 13.3%
2 years : +  0.9%
5 years : -  6.7%
10 years: -  3.9%

VERTIGO
04/2004: 16,427
04/2009: 10,767
04/2010: 10,815
04/2011: 10,014
04/2012: 11,595
---------------
04/2013: 11,467 (+  3.7%)
05/2013: 20,860 (+ 81.9%)
06/2013: 17,368 (- 16.7%)
07/2013: 16,099 (-  7.3%)
08/2013: 14,130 (- 12.2%)
09/2013: 14,951 (+  5.8%)
10/2013: 22,228 (+ 48.7%)**
11/2013: 13,958 (- 37.2%)
12/2013: ??????
01/2014: 11,473 
02/2014: 13,215 (+ 15.2%) 
03/2014: 19,179 (+ 45.1%) 
04/2014: 11,141 (- 41.9%) 
-----------------
6 months: - 49.9%
1 year  : -  2.8%
2 years : -  3.9%
5 years : +  3.5%
10 years: - 32.2%

—–

6 month comparisons
===================

+  0.4% - Supergirl
-  1.4% - Forever Evil Aftermath Batman v. Bane (FE Arkham War)
-  4.2% - Green Arrow
-  4.6% - Action Comics
-  5.7% - Superman
-  6.5% - Worlds' Finest
-  8.9% - Earth 2
-  9.4% - Wonder Woman
- 10.2% - Smallville
- 10.8% - Batgirl
- 11.0% - Birds of Prey
- 12.6% - Batman
- 12.8% - Flash
- 13.7% - The Unwritten
- 13.9% - Batman and...
- 14.6% - All Star Western
- 16.1% - Superboy
- 16.2% - Batwing
- 18.1% - Injustice
- 19.6% - Constantine
- 19.9% - Red Hood and the Outlaws
- 20.0% - Stormwatch
- 20.9% - Red Lanterns
- 21.8% - Batman Beyond Universe
- 22.1% - Green Lantern
- 22.2% - Aquaman
- 23.2% - Trillium
- 25.0% - Batwoman
- 25.6% - Teen Titans
- 28.2% - Detective Comics
- 28.6% - Green Lantern Corps
- 30.1% - Adventures of Superman
- 30.2% - Green Lantern: New Guardians
- 31.3% - Larfleeze
- 34.3% - FBP
- 39.0% - Justice League Dark
- 40.3% - Catwoman
- 40.3% - Trinity of Sin: Pandora
- 40.5% - Batman '66
- 49.6% - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
- 52.4% - Superman/Wonder Woman
- 52.4% - Swamp Thing

1 year comparisons
===================

+  9.0% - Justice League Dark
-  7.0% - The Unwritten
- 15.2% - Batman Beyond Universe (BB Unlimited)
- 17.5% - Batman
- 20.8% - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
- 20.8% - Supergirl
- 20.9% - Flash
- 21.2% - Green Arrow
- 21.7% - Worlds' Finest
- 22.2% - Smallville
- 22.6% - Superman
- 23.1% - Earth 2
- 24.0% - Injustice
- 24.6% - Birds of Prey
- 25.3% - Catwoman
- 27.0% - All Star Western
- 27.2% - Detective Comics
- 27.3% - Action Comics
- 28.8% - Batgirl
- 29.8% - Red Lanterns
- 31.4% - Batwing
- 33.1% - Wonder Woman
- 35.0% - Teen Titans
- 36.5% - Superboy
- 37.4% - Green Lantern
- 38.7% - Swamp Thing
- 39.1% - Batwoman
- 39.3% - Green Lantern Corps
- 40.1% - Constantine
- 40.4% - Green Lantern: New Guardians
- 40.7% - Red Hood and the Outlaws
- 40.9% - Stormwatch
- 49.7% - Batman and...

2 year comparisons
===================

+ 95.8% - Constantine (Hellblazer)
+ 17.8% - American Vampire
- 14.1% - Green Arrow
- 20.0% - Batman
- 23.3% - Justice League Dark
- 27.0% - The Unwritten
- 32.7% - Batman and...
- 33.1% - Batgirl
- 35.0% - Supergirl
- 38.3% - Detective Comics
- 38.4% - Wonder Woman
- 39.4% - Red Lanterns
- 42.1% - Superman
- 42.8% - Red Hood and the Outlaws
- 42.9% - Batman Beyond Universe (BB Unlimited)
- 43.0% - Birds of Prey
- 45.8% - Catwoman
- 46.7% - Aquaman
- 47.7% - Flash
- 48.9% - Green Lantern: New Guardians
- 49.4% - Teen Titans
- 49.6% - Green Lantern
- 50.9% - All Star Western
- 51.8% - Superboy
- 53.2% - Swamp Thing
- 57.0% - Action Comics
- 57.0% - Batwing
- 57.6% - Batwoman
- 65.3% - Stormwatch

5 year comparisons
===================

+ 67.0% - Constantine (Hellblazer)
+ 22.3% - Batman
+  7.5% - Green Arrow
+  6.4% - All Star Western
-  2.4% - Wonder Woman
- 12.8% - Action Comics
- 13.3% - Superman
- 27.3% - Teen Titans
- 31.3% - Supergirl
- 46.1% - Detective Comics
- 47.5% - Green Lantern
- 54.7% - Green Lantern Corps
- 70.1% - Flash

10 year comparisons
===================

+ 59.0% - Detective Comics
+ 38.8% - Batman
+ 27.9% - Aquaman
+ 26.8% - Batgirl
+ 24.0% - Constantine (Hellblazer)
+ 18.4% - Green Lantern
+  2.2% - Wonder Woman
- 13.6% - Catwoman
- 24.7% - Stormwatch (Team Achilles)
- 30.9% - Green Arrow
- 33.3% - Action Comics
- 35.0% - Flash
- 44.0% - Teen Titans Go!
- 45.6% - Swamp Thing
- 48.1% - Birds of Prey
- 62.4% - Teen Titans
- 84.7% - Superman


Sales Indices
=============

DCU: Average: 35,598. Median: 28,205

3.1 - Batman
3.0 - Batman Eternal (1)
2.4 - Batman Eternal (2)
2.2 - Batman Eternal (3)
2.2 - Batman Eternal (4)
1.9 - Justice League United
1.8 - Harley Quinn
1.6 - Batman/Superman
1.6 - Detective Comics
1.4 - Forever Evil Aftermath Batman v. Bane
1.3 - Sinestro
1.3 - Superman/Wonder Woman
1.3 - Batman and Wonder Woman
1.2 - Green Lantern
1.1 - Secret Origins
1.1 - Action Comics
1.0 - Superman
1.0 - Earth 2
1.0 - Aquaman and the Others
0.9 - Flash
0.9 - Aquaman
0.9 - Batgirl
0.9 - Flash Annual
0.9 - Wonder Woman
0.8 - Batgirl Annual
0.8 - Justice League Dark
0.8 - Justice League 3000
0.7 - Green Lantern Corps
0.7 - Teen Tians
0.7 - Green Lantern: New Guardians
0.7 - Red Lanterns
0.7 - Green Arrow
0.7 - Supergirl
0.6 - Red Hood and the Outlaws
0.6 - Green Lantern: New Guardians Annual
0.6 - Worlds' Finest
0.6 - Catwoman
0.5 - Batwoman
0.5 - Swamp Thing
0.5 - Constantine
0.5 - Batwoman Annual
0.5 - Birds of Prey
0.4 - Superboy
0.4 - Trinity of Sin: Pandora
0.4 - Trinity of Sin: Phantom Stranger
0.3 - Larfleeze
0.3 - All Star Western
0.3 - Batwing
0.2 - Stormwatch
0.2 - The Movement


Vertigo: Average: 11,141. Median: 8,707

1.6 - Trillium
1.5 - American Vampire
1.2 - Astro City
0.8 - Vertigo Quarterly CMYK
0.7 - Dead Boy Detectives
0.7 - The Royals
0.7 - The Unwritten
0.7 - FBP


Digital First & Other: Average: 10,326. Median: 10,130.

2.0 - Injustice Year 2
1.7 - Batman '66
1.3 - Batman Beyond Universe
1.2 - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
1.2 - Smallville: Lantern
1.0 - Adventures of Superman
0.8 - Teen Titans Go!
0.6 - Scribblenauts Unmasked
0.5 - Scooby-Doo: Where Are You?
0.4 - The Vampire Diaries
0.3 - Looney Tunes

The sales index number is a ratio of the title's current month sales to the average sales figure of the line to which is belongs for that month. So a sales index number of 1.0 means that a title sold very close to the sales average for that line.

—–
The Fine Print (Disclaimers, et cetera)
The numbers above are estimates for comic-book sales in the North American direct market, as calculated by ICv2.com according to the chart and index information provided by Diamond Comic Distributors.

ICv2.com‘s estimates are somewhat lower than the actual numbers, but they are consistent from month to month, so the trends they show are fairly accurate. Since it’s a “month-to-month” column, the comments, unless otherwise noted, are on the most recent month.

Bear in mind that the figures measure sales of physical comics to retailers, not customers. Also, these numbers do not include sales to bookstores, newsstands, other mass-market retail chains or the United Kingdom. Re-orders are included, so long as they either reached stores in a book’s initial calendar month of release or were strong enough to make the chart again in a subsequent month. Keep in mind that sales for some titles may include incentives to acquire variants and not every unit sold is necessarily even intended to be sold to a customer.

If additional copies of an issue did appear on the chart after a book’s initial calendar month of release, you can see the total number of copies sold in brackets behind those issues (e.g. “[36,599]“). Should more than one issue have shipped in a month which is relevant for one of the long-term comparisons, the average between them will be used.

Titles which are returnable have their numbers artificially adjusted down by Diamond. To make up for that this column increases the reported numbers for those titles by 10%. Which is likely also wrong, but it's a different and likely less wrong kind of wrong, and experience has shown that this leads to sales figures which are more consistent.

Titles released under the All-Ages line and magazines, such as Mad, mostly sell through channels other than the direct market, so direct-market sales don’t tell us much about their performance. For most Vertigo titles, collection sales tend to be a significant factor, so the numbers for those books should be taken with a grain of salt as well. To learn (a little) more about Vertigo’s collection sales, go right here.

Please keep in mind that raw sales numbers do not tell us about how profitable a book is for a publisher or for the creators.

Above all, do not allow sales numbers to dictate your purchasing and enjoyment of a particular comic. If you enjoy reading a comic series then go right on buying and reading that comic, no matter what the sales figures say.

** Two asterisks after a given month in the average charts mean that one or more periodical release did not make the Top 300/400 chart in that month. In those cases, it’s assumed that said releases sold as many units as the No. 300/400 comic on the chart for that month for the purposes of the chart, although its actual sales are likely to be less than that.

As always, we welcome your comments and corrections below. Please try to keep things civilized.